The Montessori Primary Teacher Training is rooted in the traditional concepts developed by Dr. Maria Montessori and her belief that, "...there are many who hold as I do, that the most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six.  For that is the time when man's intelligence itself, his greatest implement, is being formed."

This 120-hour certificate training is designed to prepare individuals for instructional positions within primary Montessori schools (3- to 6-year olds).  Instruction focuses on classroom management techniques, child development, and the Montessori philosophy.

COURSES IN THE CERTIFICATE TRAINING:

  • Montessori 1: Practical Life Exercises
  • Montessori 2: Sensorial Exercises
  • Montessori 3: Language Exercises
  • Montessori 4: Math Exercises
  • Montessori 5: Geography/Cultural Exercises

About Montessori Training
The Montessori Primary Teacher Training is rooted in the traditional concepts developed by Dr. Maria Montessori and in her belief that, “there are many who hold as I do, that the most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six. For that is the time when man’s intelligence itself, his greatest implement is being formed.” This 120-hour certificate is designed to prepare individuals for instructional positions within primary Montessori and schools (3-to 6-year olds).

Instruction focuses on classroom management techniques, child development, and the Montessori philosophy. The course is presented in five, 24-hour modules. The  first hour of each class session will be devoted to the study of Montessori philosophy and classroom management techniques. 
Modules can be taken in any order.

Module 1: Practical Life Exercises -- $300, 24 hours
The first module in the Montessori Pre-Primary Teacher Training  focuses on curriculum activities designed to prepare the child for real life experiences and to develop the child's independence and self-confidence. The individual exercises develop the child's hand-eye coordination, large and small muscle control, care of self and the environment.

Module 2: Sensorial Exercises -- $300, 24 hours
The second module of the Montessori Pre-Primary Teacher Training focuses on curriculum and exercises to introduce the young child to his five senses and assist him in developing these senses to observe and make discoveries in learning.

Module 3: Language Exercises--$300, 24 hours
The third modules of the Montessori Primary Teacher Training is centered on the language materials and exercises offer a systematical breakdown of the essential elements of reading, emphasizing the fundamentals of the phonics approach to reading. The individual exercises develop the child's vocabulary, writing and reading skills. The exercises include a variety of gross and fine motor skill activities that help the child to develop hand and eye coordination used in the formation of letters for writing.

Module 4: Math Exercises--$300, 24 hours
Instruction in the fourth module of the training focuses on activities and exercises that introduce the child to counting, the numerical symbols, and the four basic mathematical operations. These concepts are introduced to the child through the use of concrete materials. The child obtains a visual concept of the math operations.

Module 5: Geography/Cultural--$300, 24 hours
Instruction focuses on exercises that introduce the young child to his environment and culture and then expands to other countries and cultures. This study begins with introducing the child to a series of globes, and terms such as continents and oceans, etc. The child furthers his studies with the use of puzzle maps, flags, land forms, classified nomenclature cards, and basic science concepts.

About the Instructor: Deborah Herrington
Deborah Herrington holds a bachelor of science in education from Abilene Christian University. She also holds a Texas teaching certificate in elementary education and music. She received Montessori training from A.M.I. and Certification through the Contemporary Montessori Education Training. For 10 years she owned and operated a Montessori school for children two years through sixth grade. She is the author of Paper Works for the Montessori Classroom and Paper Works II. In 1994 she began teaching the Montessori Teacher Certificate Training through North Lake and Brookhaven colleges. While teach at Brookhaven, she was nominated for Instructor of the Year. She has been working in the field of education for 25 years.

Tuition and Registration
Tuition for each module is $300. There also will be a $100 fee paid to the instructor for the written and oral exams that will be offered after you have completed all modules.

All classes meet at Collin College, Courtyard Center, 4800 Preston Park Blvd., Plano, Texas 75093 and classes are offered on-line live through Zoom.
For more information email behdebo@aol.com or phone the instructor at 214 546-9640.

Admission Requirements

  • High School Diploma or Equivalency (College preferred)
  • Must speak and write in English
  • Agree to begin internship within 12 months of beginning the course work.

Training Requirements

  • Satisfactory attendance to class sessions
  • Prepare six reference notebooks, one for each module including an additional Montessori Philosophy and Classroom Management Reference Book. (A set of all the class notes are available at cost during the first class session of each module).
  • Complete a total of five typed essays, one due at the last class session of each module.
  • Create 10 handmade instructional materials to be used in a Montessori primary classroom.
  •  Complete an Internship in a Montessori Primary classroom (3-to-6-year-olds), under the supervision of a certified Montessori director. (At least 800 hours, more preferred).
  • Keep a journal of presentations and responsibilities you were given while completing your internship. Directors and guides will be asked to fill out an evaluation form on your performance.
  • Achieve a score of 70 or above on a comprehensive written exam. Study questions and answers are given at the conclusion of each module.
  • Take an oral exam, which includes presentations of two lessons from each of the five areas. It is important to be able to pronounce all of the phonetic sounds used to teach reading, therefore each student will also present to the instructor the movable alphabet and it correct usage (score of 70 or above required on all oral presentations).

Required Reading:

  • Dr. Montessori’s Own Handbook. Author: Dr. Maria Montessori, ISBN 9780805209211
  • The Montessori Method. Author: Dr. Maria Montessori, ISBN 9780805209228
  • Montessori Today. Author: Paula Polk Lillard ISBN 9780805210613
  • Maria Montessori: Her Life and Work. Author: E.M. Standing ISBN 9780452279896


All of the individual lessons using the Montessori materials have been videotaped and may be rented on-line through Vimeo. The video clips are for the purpose of oral exam preparation.

Most classes do not require a textbook.

Hours: 120

Sessions: 30

Cost: $300 per module

You must be present 90% of each class meeting to fulfill the certificate requirements and receive an institutional certificate.

Upon fulfillment of certificate training requirements, please email CECertificate@collin.edu to request your certificate.  Please allow four (4) weeks to receive your certificate.

Required fields are indicated by .